LAS CRUCES, N.M. — The four suspects accused in the deadly mass shooting at Young Park made their first court appearance Monday morning, each entering a plea of not guilty to the charges brought against them. The Doña Ana County District Attorney’s Office confirmed that all four will be tried as adults, including two juveniles.
District Attorney Fernando Macias stated that the suspects — Tomas Rivas, 20; Nathan Rivas, 17; Gustavo Dominguez, 17; and Josiah Ontiveros, 15 — have been indicted on multiple charges. These include first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder in connection with the March 21 shooting, which occurred during a car meet event at Young Park.
“All four are going to be joined together, at least initially in terms of their cases,” Macias explained. “And again, we anticipate going forward, all four of them are being tried as adults.”
The mass shooting left three people dead and 15 others injured, making it one of the most violent incidents in recent Las Cruces history. Authorities have described the attack as calculated and brutal, with the suspects allegedly opening fire on a crowd of attendees in what appears to have been a targeted assault.
Officials also revealed that all four individuals have criminal records, and three of them have previously been connected in past criminal activity. Investigators believe this shared history may be a key factor in understanding the motive and coordination behind the shooting.
The case has drawn widespread attention, not only due to the number of victims but also because of the ages of the suspects. The decision to charge the juveniles as adults underscores the severity of the crime and the prosecution’s intent to pursue the harshest possible penalties.
The investigation is ongoing, and prosecutors are expected to release additional information as the case progresses through the legal system. Authorities are continuing to gather evidence and interview witnesses to build a full picture of what led to the tragic shooting. For now, the community of Las Cruces continues to grieve, as families of the victims and survivors await justice. Further court proceedings are expected in the coming weeks.